Surrey student’s policing project halted by replica weapon policy
Published 9:30 am Sunday, March 15, 2026
A Surrey Grade 10 student’s career project exploring policing hit a speed bump after replica equipment he created for the assignment was flagged under the school district’s weapons policy.
A Johnston Heights Secondary student built several cardboard replicas of police gear to accompany a recent career presentation.
Only after the project was well underway did he learn he wouldn’t be allowed to bring the replica equipment to school to show his classmates.
His mother, Silvia Segovia, said her son became enthusiastic about the assignment while researching policing as a potential career.
“He got really excited about it,” Silvia said.
As part of the project, Segovia’s son completed written components including journals and spreadsheets outlining the work involved in the profession. Students were also asked to include a model or replica item related to their subject chosen career.
Segovia’s son took the opportunity to showcase some of the equipment police officers use on the job – using cardboard, hot glue and pipe cleaners to create a variety of items, including a radio, flashlight, baton, handcuffs, notebook and a replica firearm.
That’s where he ran up against the school district’s policy on weapons.
According to Segovia, a substitute teacher had seen her son working on the project before informing the regular teacher upon return of his work.
After Segovia’s son explained the project to his teacher himself, Segovia said he was sent to the principal’s office and informed that the replica firearm was not permitted on school grounds under district policy.
The Surrey Schools policies and procedures state that “students shall not possess or use any weapon on any school premises or at any activity off school premises that is organized or sponsored by the school.”
The only exception to this rule is when the replica item is used as a prop in a theatrical production and stored appropriately when not in use.
“Schools, parents and other community members should be aware of the potential danger of toy and replica guns,” the policy says.
“While such guns may be considered toys, many replica and toy guns can be easily mistaken as real. Reports that a handgun was seen typically results in a very rapid, high-level police response, as police must treat all such reports as involving a real gun.
“Some replica guns are so realistic, they can easily be seen as an actual weapon and may result in a defensive action when pointed at someone. Police officers and other security personnel are trained to draw their own weapons in defense when threatened.”
Segovia shared with Peace Arch News that she understands the importance of safety policies but believes the situation could have been handled differently.
She said she contacted the school principal and later emailed the district’s superintendent, Mark Pearmain, in hopes of discussing the situation.
Segovia said she did not receive a response from the superintendent, though an assistant superintendent replied outlining the district’s policy on weapons and replica weapons.
Determined to make her concerns heard, Segovia tried to suggest other ways she could help make this happen for her son but also keep the Surrey Schools policy intact.
She reached out to friends who are officers with the RCMP and Surrey Police Service in hopes their perspective might help them navigate the rules.
Segovia suggested that her son’s creations could be brought to the school office ahead of time for inspection by a staff member, held until the day of his presentation and returned directly to the office after the presentation so she could pick them up from there.
But she received a response from the school principal stating that her son could bring in videos or photos of the replicas instead.
Segovia said she found this “quite ridiculous” because a project like this should be encouraging students to engage and explore their future careers, and that’s what her son was trying to do.
“My hope in raising this concern is to bring awareness to the impact such restrictions may have on students who are genuinely engaged in their learning and striving to present thoughtful projects aligned with positive goals and safer communities,” she said in an email to Peace Arch News.
Despite the issue, Segovia’s son completed his presentation and explained to classmates why some of the items he created could not be brought into the classroom.
Though he was disappointed, Segovia said, her son’s enthusiasm for policing hasn’t wavered, and he’s already looking forward to exploring the field further.
Peace Arch News reached out for comment from the school district’s Safe Schools department but did not respond to requests for comment before publication.